Sergio Perez news LIVE: F1 latest as Red Bull axe Mexican with RB’s Liam Lawson in pole position for promotion – UK Times

Yuki Tsunoda appears to have improved his chances of grabbing a Red Bull seat in the 2025 Formula One season.

The Japanese driver has shone in the post-race Abu Dhabi test, with speculation surrounding Sergio Perez’s future and a decision forthcoming from Christian Horner.

Max Verstappen has described the criticism of Perez as “harsh”, with Tsunoda under consideration to replace ‘Checo’. Yet one of the reasons to look for an alternative to Tsunoda was largely dismissed in Abu Dhabi, with adviser Helmut Marko promising news in the next week.

“On the question of what the driver pairing will look like next year, we will have news in the next days,” Marko said in his Speedweek.com column.

Lando Norris secured a dominant victory at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to win McLaren their first constructors’ championship since 1998.

The 25-year-old’s fourth win of the season meant McLaren held off the charge of Ferrari as team-mate Oscar Piastri finished only 10th after an eventful race for the Australian at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Ferrari pair Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were second and third to push McLaren all the way but Norris’ win was enough to secure the title.

When asked about the potential replacements for Perez, Horner had this to say: “Now, we have all of the information we need, it’ll be a choice between Yuki [Tsunoda] and Liam [Lawson] and both have got strong credentials.

“We tested Yuki recently in Abu Dhabi, had a chance to work with the engineer team, while Liam has tested a lot with us and driven well. [We’re considering all of that. We’ll conclude in the coming days.

“The most important thing for us, to make sure we have two drivers performing as closely as possible.

“We’ll have a Hamilton and Leclerc line-up [at Ferrari], Norris and Piastri [at McLaren], we’ve seen what that’s capable of, George Russell with another newcomer in Kimi Antonelli [at Mercedes] – it’ll be very tight next year. What is the best line-up we can field?”

On the decision to extend Perez’s contract over the summer, Horner said: “At the time he’d had four podiums in five races, it was a logical extension to remove speculation, of which there was already too much around the team,” explained the team principal.

“Every contract has performance clauses and criteria, it didn’t make any difference to this decision for Sergio to step away and take a sabbatical.”

On the constructor’s championship, he added: “In hindsight, McLaren did a great job. But at the end of the day, we won more races, we had more poles, we won four sprint races, more than any other team, and we won the drivers’ championship with two races to go.

“Unfortunately we had a 280-point deficit between our drivers, of course that became quite expensive in terms of the constructors’ championship.”

Horner spoke to Sky Sports regarding Perez’s future, saying: “Checo has been a fantastic member of this team, it’s been a tough year for him, but he’s a great person and played a key role in 2021 drivers’ championship.

“We sat down and discussed it last week. He’s decided to take a bit of time out, take a sabbatical from Formula 1 essentially. He’ll still be involved with the brand and the team. But he’s stepping back from driving duties moving forward.

“We’re sad to see him leave the team. It’s time for him to spend time with his family and reflect on what he wants to do for the future.”

And Red Bull boss Horner has now explained what Perez will do ahead of the 2025 campaign, with no other seat lined up.

The beginning of the end for Sergio Perez at Red Bull was further back than you think, after the Mexican finally confirmed a predictable outcome on Wednesday following a disastrous season. For it was not the embarrassing Q1 exit in Hungary in July, after a crash in practice the day before. Nor was it the expensive first-lap crash on the streets of Monacoin the spring. Instead, it was May 2023, and a time when events were altogether rosier for the now dispirited Mexican.

Heading into last year’s Miami Grand Prix, Perez was being tilted as a genuine title contender. Or rather, given Red Bull’s car dominance, Max Verstappen’s only title contender. Both drivers had split wins in the first four races and on his favoured street track configuration, Perez took pole in Florida. Verstappen started in ninth.

“While Checo will not race for the team next season, he will always be an extremely popular team member and a treasured part of our history.

“Thank you, Checo,” added Horner at the end of his statement.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner also gave a statement, in which he thanked Perez and praised his contribution over the years.

“I would like to thank Checo for all he has done for Oracle Red Bull Racing over the past four seasons,” Horner said.

“From the moment he joined in 2021 he proved himself to be an extraordinary team player, helping us to two constructors’ titles and to our first 1-2 finish in the drivers’ championship,” he added.

In the final part of his statement, Perez gave “a special thank you to the fans around the world, and especially to the Mexican fans for your unwavering support every day.

“We’ll meet again soon. And remember… never give up!”

Perez’s future in F1 remains in doubt, with no seat currently available on the grid next season.